Understanding themes and symbolism is important in any work of fiction. Becca Puglisi at @annerallen.bsky.social goes into why that is.

Suisei

Adalia Lisbet is known to many as a duelist and to some as a hero, but she will find her greatest challenge yet returning home after over ten years exile. You can find my latest #novel, Bladedancer, available in #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

He will never escape so long as he does not acknowledge his crimes. #shortstory

The Imperial Radch Trilogy by @annleckie.com is some of the best #scifi I’ve ever read, and part of the reason is because it delves deeply into the nature of identity and empire. This article at @reactorsff.bsky.social goes into this with more detail.

the coral tower #hollowknight #silksong #art

Are you having trouble getting locations in your story to pop? This article from @nils.readindiefantasy.com might be just what you need to help with that.

In a land wracked with misfortune and war, can four travelers come together in common cause to retrieve their stolen property from a powerful wizard? You can pick up my #novel, Desolate Company, in both #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

me, poking at the second trump presidency: "want to see a (soon to be) dead body?" youtu.be/ozvWGx_Re9A

USA folk, you need to annoy these assholes as much as you can. this bill is not to protect children. they want to erase transgender people from public life and classify them as degenerate content in the internet. we will not be seen or heard. they want our *existence* to be a sex offense.

Voice is a tricky thing in #writing, and it’s easy to mess up. It needs to be both distinct and understandable, which can be a difficult to achieve. @maryleemacd.bsky.social has good advice on this subject.

I remember the trees 🌴 New painting! I’ll have a shooting when it dried a bit. 60x90cm Oil on canvas Early bird offer until the 10th is up: www.indicreates.com/oil-painting... #tropical #art #dreamy #whimsical

Called home after over ten years exile, adventurer and duelist Adalia Lisbet must confront challenges no sword can cut. You can find my latest #novel, Bladedancer, available in both #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

#Writing characters means more than just listing their accomplishments and goals. It's exploring who they are in order to reveal their humanity.

There are a number of misconceptions about in medias res.

"What are books, if not vehicles to make us different people?" That's rad. mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1028525

A lot of fiction tends toward younger protagonists, but there’s a range of experiences and many are unique toward those of older years. @juliettefay.bsky.social goes over this subject in detail on @lithub.com.web.brid.gy.

Bound together in common cause, can four travelers retrieve their stolen property from a fleeing wizard or will mistrust and selfishness see them all dead first? You can pick up my #novel, Desolate Company, in both #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

Bard Knight 02🛡️ ‘Tis a Critical Hit! 🎸

pollera dancers with swords... is this anything

Pacing is incredibly important in any creative work, and it’s easy to mess up. If it’s going too slow, then sometimes you’ll have to trim away at your prose to get things back on track. Via @mythcreants.bsky.social

knowing the difference between an illusion or a True Vision of Things to Come is an important life skill to develop

Adalia Lisbet has long lived by the sword, but risks collapsing under the weight of memory when called home to her father’s house. You can find my latest #novel, Bladedancer, in both #print and #e-book format! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

Fun HB facts; she's horrible at rhythm games. (Happy Birthday to @dragonplush.bsky.social~!)

If your characters believe in the world they’re inhabiting then it will be easier to convince your readers of the same. #writing #writingadvice

So, #writingcommmunity. What are your thoughts on this alignment chart?

Character motivation includes goals, and @maryleemacd.bsky.social is correct that if those goals aren’t driving said character’s actions throughout your story then something has probably gone wrong.

Can four travelers band together in common cause against a wizard who has stolen from them, or will they kill each other before they even reach him? You can find my #novel, Desolate Company, in both #print and #e-book format! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

Bard Knight 01 🛡️ Dost thou shred? 🎸

Finally getting my head cleared up after spending the weekend in a depressive fugue state because of this stupidly wasteful and evil war the US is waging on Iran.

If you aren’t aware of how time passes in your story then it can lead to confusion, and the delicate balance between scene and summary can make or break suspension of disbelief. Rachel Beanland examines how to manage this aspect of storytelling on @lithub.com.web.brid.gy.

Adalia Lisbet is an adventurer and duelist, but despite setting herself against foes mundane and fantastic she will find herself tested when called back to a home she thought she would never see again. You can find my #novel, Bladedancer, in #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #indie 💙📚

GET EM NOW AT www.eventbrite.com/e/staple-the...

Have you chosen the right POV character for your story?

It’s always dangerous to leave the path when walking the woods alone at night. #shortstory

I’ve found as I’ve grown older that realism is ultimately less important in fiction than authenticity, which are two different things. Via @mythcreants.bsky.social

In a broken world wracked by cataclysm and ancient wars, can four travelers band together to retrieve their stolen property from a powerful wizard? You can find my #novel, Desolate Company, in both #print and #e-book format! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

Trauma can be a difficult subject to write about, and the last thing anyone wants is to make light of suffering. @firstdraftadow.bsky.social goes over the intricacies of this with Cathleen Schine on @lithub.com.web.brid.gy.

Don’t go in the old barn 🫵

Do not take your eyes off Minnesota. They have not slowed down on their occupation and people are still afraid to leave their homes. Please check out this website for way to donate or get involved 💜 bsky.app/profile/ziib...

Called home after ten years exile, the duelist Adalia Lisbet finds herself at risk of collapsing beneath the weight of memory. Will despair drag her under, or will she rise to grasp the possibility of hope? My #novel, Bladedancer, is available in both #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky 💙📚

Arquebusier with squire

#Worldbuilding is important, but it can often become a trap. Focus on what parts of the world are actually important to your story and resist the urge to just add detail for its own sake. #writing #writingadvice

Overthinking your #writing can lead to stumbling or even stalling with getting the story finished.

Chasing after a powerful wizard, four strangers must band together to retrieve their stolen property. Assuming, of course, they can avoid killing each other first. You can find my #novel, Desolate Company, available in #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #fantasylit #indie #selfpub 💙📚

This is a fascinating article from @vaughnroycroft.bsky.social over at @writerunboxed.bsky.social on the use of magic and spirituality in stories.

Adalia Lisbet has traveled the land and set herself against enemies both mundane and fantastic. But when she is called home after ten years exile she finds herself facing trials no sword can cut. You can find my #novel, Bladedancer, in #print and #e-book! #fantasybooksky #booksky #indie #selfpub 💙📚

This is why "Let's give in on some of the trans stuff because it'd be a popular compromise and you have to meet people where they are" is not only immoral but politically stupid. Republicans were never going to stop there. They stop when you stop them. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...

"What the problem usually boils down to is a dearth of available sexual opportunities—not so much willing sex partners, as women who don't totally own their own bodies, and so therefore can't say "no" to sex so easily."